Flames sign UCF transfer

September 12, 2012

Josh Crittle, a center from University of Central Florida, will play for the Flames.

Men’s basketball signs UCF transfer Crittle
Former University of Central Florida and Oregon center Josh Crittle has signed with the men’s basketball team, transferring to UIC to complete his college basketball eligibility and attend graduate school.

Crittle, a 6-foot-9 center from Bellwood, has one season of eligibility remaining, beginning this season.

Crittle will pursue a master’s of education in instructional leadership. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from UCF over the summer.

“We’re excited to welcome Josh to our team this season,” head coach Howard Moore said. “As soon as we learned of Josh’s desire to return to Chicago, we made the proper arrangements to make contact with him.

“He made it very clear about his desire to be successful this coming season and beyond college. Our staff felt it was a no-brainer and a mutually good fit. His experience and leadership is going to help our young post players as they continue to adjust to Division I basketball.”

Crittle played in all 31 games for the Golden Knights last season, including 25 starts. He averaged 4.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 45 percent (.441) from the field and 73.3 percent from the free throw line.

He appeared in 51 games over two seasons at Oregon, making five career starts and averaging 2.9 points and 2.5 rebounds per contest.

Crittle attended Hales Franciscan High School in Chicago. As a senior, he was rated as the 29th-best center in the nation by ESPN.com and the 30th-best post player in the country by Scout.com.

UIC continues its four-game homestand this week, hosting the UIC Soccer Classic.With the losses, UIC drops to 1-4-0 on the season.

The action kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday, when Wisconsin and Western Illinois go head-to-head at Flames Field. The Flames will take on Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in the nightcap, set to start at 7:30 p.m.